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Anyone else drive with a police radar detector?

Melensdad

Melensdad

Jerk in a Hawaiian Shirt & SNOWCAT Moderator
Staff member
For years I have been using ESCORT brand radar detectors in my cars. Both of the Audis have those detectors. The customized A6 diesel has an Escort Redline, because it just a damn fast car that easily gets up to speed, and sometimes unintentionally 'above' legal limits. The convertible Audi has an older X90 from ESCORT, but is mostly a local driver.

My Honda Ridgeline has a ROCKY MOUNTAIN brand radar detector, an annoying device that seems to detect every false alarm on the planet, both close and far. It was purchased, mistakenly, in a moment of weakness. No need to repeat that mistake.

The VW Jetta diesel currently has no detector. An older ESCORT brand X90 graced its windshield for years, but ultimately died. So like sex without a condom, I have a legal street racer without protection. If you are not familiar with the Jetta TDI Cup race cars, the company eventually offered them for sale to the public. I didn't get one of the official ones, I had mine built in Germany before they offered them as a factory option and shipped here. So technically I don't own the street version of the TDI Cup, but I own a more deluxe/fun version of the TDI Cup car.

TDI Cup Jetta: https://www.autotrader.com/oversteer/blast-from-the-past-vw-once-took-its-diesel-jettas-racing

Today I ordered a new VALENTINE ONE, Gen 2 detector, along with a couple accessories. I'm planning to install that into the Honda Ridgeline and move the ROCKY MOUNTAIN detector into the Jetta.

I looked at the ESCORT detectors again, it is a brand I have owned, and been loyal to, because they just work. But the new models rely on GPS and other things that I think might be just gimmicks? Not really sure they have the best technology now. VALENTINE ONE has been considered a top brand for the past 10 years, it is sometimes ranked above the ESCORT, sometimes below. Now, I think, it is clearly the better choice.

Anyone else drive with radar detector to keep the tickets at bay?

I purchased 3 items earlier today from Valentine, a detector, a remote display and module that powers both from the diagnostic port of the car.

www.valentine1.com

Radar and Laser Detectors | Valentine One | Radar Detectors

Valentine Research manufactures and sells direct the Valentine One Gen2 Radar Locator, the only radar and laser detector that tracks multiple threats.
www.valentine1.com www.valentine1.com
 
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I just saved the expense and use cruise control. Speed limit up here is 55mph. I set it around 62 and go. Never an issue and wave at the cops as I drive by. And watch them chase down all those audis and vws with heavy footed drivers. 🤪
 
I used to use an escort detector. Been 10+ years since I used it. GPS will warn of speed traps. Recent travels just traveling with the traffic on WV Turnpike and I-77 most traffic is moving 15mph over the limit. 70mph and we are cruising at 85. Nary a cop or speed trap in sight in both NC and SC. Virginia is not quite as open. WV seems to just let us drive. No one giving tickets. Since covid I do not see near as many speed traps. So never even considered getting another radar detector.
 
Indiana state police seem to be very active on the Indiana Tollroad (I-80) with not just stationary speed traps but also unmarked SUVs pulling people over. Seem to allow about 5mph over, but not 6!

Oddly on the other major Indiana interstates, 85mph is the going speed for drivers and very little police interference to slow that down. Illinois expressways seem to the wild west, anything can happen out there, including shootings.

I think the I-80 corridor is ripe for ticketing "out of state" drivers and go to Notre Dame football games or travel to pick up their child from campus, or its the idiot kids who get the tickets? In any case, that is one roadway I transit frequently and I typically encounter 2 - 3 speed traps along the 50 miles of that roadway that I transit.
 
I have a Uniden R8 that I use (even on my motorcycle). I also use Waze. I bought my daughter a Uniden too. She got a ticket in Montana for driving 10 miles over the limit ... if you have driven in Montana you would know that almost everyone drives 10 or more miles over the limit. The cop must have had a quota to fill that day.

At the end of the day the radar detector is cheaper than the insurance rate increase of a speeding ticket.

All it takes is one or two tickets and most insurance carriers will start jacking up your rates.
 
Years ago, I had an Escort but they were so expensive I switched to Cobra. They work reasonably well and at a fraction of the cost. The problem is that by the time you detect a laser, it's usually too late. Pulse radar makes it even tougher for these detectors to be effective. Waze is spotty too. Anymore, I just try to stay in a pack, never the first or last. I haven't had a ticket in 7 years.
 
Back when I was a kid, I stole a radar gun from a parked trooper car and had an opportuniy to play with it.. I even radared a few cops with it. There was a tuning fork with it that vibrated at about 4kHz. Holding the tuning fork in front of the detector gave a reading of 55 or 60mph (i forget which). Anyhow, i have often wondered if using a terbium alloy or other solid-state speaker driver attached to the inside of the hood and behind the license plates to make it into one big vibrating speaker when approaching a radar. Would the vibrating hood read as 55mph or would the size of the vehicle and its reflection overpower the interference from the hood? Its audio, so it cannot be illegal as you are not transmitting RF, its not a jammer..

I also found out that the typical radar detector emits enough of a signal to be detected by the police. If a grocery store door opener can be triggered by my cobra, the cops can tell someone is approaching with a radar detector. And when they see it in your car, rest assured that any chance of getting a warning is GONE!
 
MNwr786 said:
Back when I was a kid, I stole a radar gun from a parked trooper car and had an opportuniy to play with it.. I even radared a few cops with it. There was a tuning fork with it that vibrated at about 4kHz. Holding the tuning fork in front of the detector ..
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Jamming devices do exist. Not sure about the legality

MNwr786 said:
I also found out that the typical radar detector emits enough of a signal to be detected by the police. If a grocery store door opener can be triggered by my cobra, the cops can tell someone is approaching with a radar detector. And when they see it in your car, rest assured that any chance of getting a warning is GONE!
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Many do.

The better units do not. Or at least did not. At one time I researched the heck out of that. A lot of lower priced detectors work on exactly the same bands as police radar and emit a weak signal, I call these dirty detectors and they set off other radar detectors. Better units operate on higher or lower frequencies and sample the difference between a police radar and their own signal, calculating direction, strength, etc and consequently also don’t set off other detectors
 
I had a couple in my younger days.
Both an Escort and Valentine actually.
Didn't like either.
Too many false alerts, and when its really needed they are too late, the cop already had me.
Sold them, use nothing now, and just drive the speed limit most of the time.
 
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Ive just learned where you can drive fast and where you can't, the learning curve cost me a few bucks over the years but haven't gotten a ticket in at least 5 years now, so it must be working.
 
I use Valentine V1's in my vehicles.
Only the State Troopers in my state can use radar so I use them primarily on the Interstates.
When they're using laser, pretty sure you're screwed no matter what detector you use.
When the detector goes off, I always glance to see what band it caught. I ignore X and K hits. That said, those X and K get annoying, especially when it picks up other vehicles that have all that lane departure or whatever signals that emit on a band that my detector picks up.
I haven't done it to mine yet but you can stop a lot of the unwanted hits it has detected. Do an internet search for "valentine v1 programming" and it'll show you how to tweak your detector to your wants.
 
bczoom said:
I use Valentine V1's in my vehicles.
Only the State Troopers in my state can use radar so I use them primarily on the Interstates.
When they're using laser, pretty sure you're screwed no matter what detector you use.
When the detector goes off, I always glance to see what band it caught. I ignore X and K hits. That said, those X and K get annoying, especially when it picks up other vehicles that have all that lane departure or whatever signals that emit on a band that my detector picks up.
I haven't done it to mine yet but you can stop a lot of the unwanted hits it has detected. Do an internet search for "valentine v1 programming" and it'll show you how to tweak your detector to your wants.
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Just curious, do you have the Valentine One Version 1 or Version 2?
 
Version 1.
I'm only on the interstates for a couple thousand miles per year so can't quite justify getting the new one.
 
Well the new Valentine One, Version 2 radar arrived today. Just finished installing it in the Ridgeline. I got the remote display also. No clue if this will be any better than any of the other detectors I have, hopefully fewer false alarms? But at least now I have 1 detector in each of the vehicles again. Only 2 days into this week and I've ticked off 300+ miles with day trips to South Bend and to Chicago, plus my local driving. Not much planned for Wednesday, but Thursday will be a 300 mile round trip. Nothing but local for Friday/Saturday but Sunday will be going back to Purdue (80 miles each way) for coaching.
 
Use the dectector for about 20 miles tonight. To the fencing club through a town that is a known speed trap zone. And then back home. Police were out. Detector has a "logic" setting (actually 2 different settings that use algorithms to try to eliminate/reduce false alarms) and I used the 'lower' threshold setting during the test drive. My Rocky Mountain Radar would have been beeping constantly. My Escorts nearly as often, but not as much as the R.M. radar. But this thing lit up without sounding, I love that. The 'logic' settings eliminate the automatic doors at CVS and Walgreens. They also eliminate the car radars used for lane navigation and other fun stuff in modern cars. But the actual police lit the detector up like a Christmas tree.

I'm happy and impressed! :thumbup:

Got a 300 mile round trip on Thursday and that will be a much better test. So far, I am optimistic.
 
Totally unplanned, but Melen found a vintange art nouveau style fireplace mantle for sale and asked it I could pick it up for her. Southwest suburbs of Chicago, 90 mile round trip, mostly interstate. It was a good test. Valentine One Version Two pretty much eliminates false signals. Really impressive the way it works. Real signals come through. But virtually none of chirping from oncoming semi-trucks setting off the detector like happen with the Escorts and, more so the Rocky Mountain Radar.

Honestly I'd say that 90% of the false signals were totally eliminated. Perhaps 10% were passed to the screen, but sounded only at low volume.

The actual police radars actually were broadcast thru both visually and audibly. There were two of those along the transit.
 
Just under 400 miles round trip.

Valentine One Version Two is freaking awesome. 100% better than an Escort for NOT annoying me with constant BEEP BEEP BEEP false alarms from other vehicles. But still getting alerted with loud audio and bright visual warnings when a real radar is present.
 
Just a note, I bought the optional grand touring package, plus I also bought the remote display. I think the grand touring package is the minimum to get the silencing of the false alarms??? Honestly I don't know. I also bought the remote display. I like the remote display but it is $60 extra and not needed, it is a "want" item and not a "need" item. I think the "grand touring package" is the way to go.

I'm really happy with this, but damn it is expensive.

Now that said, I have a 2022 Honda Ridgeline that just passed 31,000 miles on the odometer. And I tend to drive the 2010 VW Jetta much more often than I drive the Ridgeline.

So I guess I probably put a lot more miles on my vehicles than most people do? And I know the nearby towns that are speed traps, but I tend to dive a lot of rural highways, I drive plenty of interstates, I drive the Indiana Toll Road (the entire road is a speed trap) so, for me, the $700+ cost for the package I purchased was worth the cost if it saves me a few tickets a year (it should) plus the lower insurance premiums from the lack of speeding tickets.
 
Melensdad said:
Just a note, I bought the optional grand touring package, plus I also bought the remote display. I think the grand touring package is the minimum to get the silencing of the false alarms??? Honestly I don't know. I also bought the remote display. I like the remote display but it is $60 extra and not needed, it is a "want" item and not a "need" item. I think the "grand touring package" is the way to go.

I'm really happy with this, but damn it is expensive.

Now that said, I have a 2022 Honda Ridgeline that just passed 31,000 miles on the odometer. And I tend to drive the 2010 VW Jetta much more often than I drive the Ridgeline.

So I guess I probably put a lot more miles on my vehicles than most people do? And I know the nearby towns that are speed traps, but I tend to dive a lot of rural highways, I drive plenty of interstates, I drive the Indiana Toll Road (the entire road is a speed trap) so, for me, the $700+ cost for the package I purchased was worth the cost if it saves me a few tickets a year (it should) plus the lower insurance premiums from the lack of speeding tickets.
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I thought I drive a lot.
 
m1west said:
I thought I drive a lot.
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I really didn't realize I drive as much as I do until now!

I under estimated today's drive by nearly 100 miles. Thought it was just under 300 miles round trip to a property I purchased. turned out to be a hair's breadth under 400 miles round trip. I think I sit in front of a windshield a lot more than i thought I did. But our mile are spread over 4 vehicle (not including motorcycles), and we are a 2 driver family so I never really thought about it until recently.

The combination of my arthritis medication failure, plus my series of stupid injuries has kept me off a motorcycle, so I am even more aware of the 'seat time' in 4 wheel vehicles lately.

All that said, if you tend to drive a lot of miles, and you want "peace" from false alarms, the Valentine 1, Vers 2, seems to deliver the right mix of that with the lower level "logic" setting. I'll be testing the higher level "logic" setting eventually. My next long drive is Sunday to Purdue. 160 miles-ish round trip. I'm keeping the lower level "logic" setting for now. Not ready to change, yet.
 
Melensdad said:
You can understand why I am very skeptical of buying an Electric Vehicle.
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Yea you would clock 1/2 the miles, but the same time in the seat at the charging station 20 miles out of your way. No Electric for me. I am doubling down on diesel, even if I have to make it myself from used cooking oil.
 
I was in 2 different cars yesterday. One with a Rocky Mountain Radar brand detector. The other with one of our Escort brand detectors. Got to say that the Valentine One is just so much quieter. All 3 scream at me when I hit a speed trap with a cop, and all 3 did so with good warning. But the Valentine One simply eliminates most of the false alarms and lowers volumes to ultra low levels on suspected false alarms while still providing visual. And it silences any radar if my actual speed is 35mph or lower (I get to choose the 'silence' speed and I chose 35 because that is speed limit at a speed trap on a rural 4 lane highway I drive every day - speed limit drops from 60 to 35!)


As for the off topic conversation of EV's. Electric is appealing if I can charge from panels on my rooftop and if I can get close a 500 mile range.

But, battery technology is not up to 500 mile ranges (and since highway miles reduce range by roughly 15%, it seems like I would feel uncomfortable in an EV on a "day" trip from & back to my home that is 400 miles). There are announced 'break thru' technologies that are announced, seemingly every month, but the commercial applications are YEARS away from use. 2026/27 might start to show some of these things are more realistic ranges?

And I don't have solar panels on my roof, at least not %yet. I like the idea of putting them up there, especially if they are actually charging a car that would it in my garage.

I see EV potential. 5 years from now. But 5 years from now I may not need that technology or range.
 
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